Career Opportunities at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Job summary:

•  The Senior Forecaster is a shift-worker primarily responsible for forecasting and monitoring of weather, producing of weather forecasting products as well as severe weather warnings.
•  S/He is also required to provide a supervisory and technical oversight of weather forecasting activities performed in the office and in regional forecasting offices.

Forecasting and Warning Services:

•  Supervise, generate and quality control public and marine weather forecasts according to pre-determined time scales. These include commercial products and services.
•  Communicate public weather forecasts and severe weather warnings in different media platforms.

Internal and External Customer Relations:

•  Liaise with clients as per office plan.
•  Represent SAWS at Stakeholder meetings.
•  Promote the awareness of SAWS products and services to all stakeholders.

Administration:

•  Perform routine office administration practices including periodic reporting, leave processing, administration of registers, transport administration, etc.
•  Assist in the control of acquired stock levels required for operational activities.
•  Assist in the effective use of assets and key infrastructure.

Training, Development and Knowledge Management:

•  Assist in all training activities related to weather forecasting within the office.
•  Provide mentorship and training to junior personnel.
•  Conduct case-studies and other research to enhance the accuracy and quality of the products and services offered.

Total Quality Management:

•  Develop and review meteorological processes and procedures.
•  Promote the SAWS Quality Policy and intergrade it into the day-to-day activities of the office.
•  Provide assistance during audits of the office as required.
•  Perform regular inspections to ensure all work done is according to documented requirements.
•  Ensure that the work environment complies with legislative requirements in relation to Occupational Health and Safety.
•  Promote a quality culture amongst the staff within the office.

Minimum Requirements and Attributes:

•  BSc Honours Degree in Meteorology or equivalent
•  5 years Weather Forecasting experience.
•  Ability to analyse and interpret weather charts, surface observations, upper air observations, weather codes, weather satellite and radar imageries.
•  Ability to analyse Numerical Weather Prediction and Ensemble Prediction System products to produce weather forecasts and warnings.
•  Comprehensive understanding of Impact-based forecasting.
•  Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
•  Ability to work well under pressure.
•  Clear understanding of SAWS policies
•  Basic understanding of Public Finance and Management Act
•  Willingness to work shifts, weekends, and public holidays.
•  Excellent corporate communications skills (written and verbal)
•  Computer Skills (Ms Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
•  Be able to respond well to pressure.
•  Have own reliable transport.
•  A valid Code EB or Code 08 driver’s license (without endorsements).

go to method of application »

Job Summary:

•  To lead, develop, maintain and implement the Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) programs, procedures and policies to control, eliminate and prevent disease or injury and to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and quality control within SAWS operations.
•  To provide, manage and maintain safe and secure office environments for SAWS Head Office as well as Regional Offices
•  To implement and maintain a Knowledge Management System in SAWS

Key Performance Areas:
Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ)

•  To develop, implement and monitor the SAWS SHEQ strategy and programmes in support of the SAWS strategic goals.
•  To ensure the SHEQ environment is governed by the required and relevant updated Policies and Procedures, aligned to market practice. Monitor, manage and report on compliance to the

SHEQ Policies and Procedures.

•  Ensure the provision of healthy and safe working environments for SAWS Head Office as well as Regional Offices that are fit for purpose.
•  Ensure that the SAWS Healthy and Safety representatives are appointed and trainedaccordingly.
•  To ensure that the organisation complies with the ISO 9001 standard and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
•  Perform internal audits on the Total Quality Management systems to identify and correct areas of non-compliance.
•  To establish, implement and maintain a Records Management System and File Plan in compliance with the National Archiving Act (Act 43 of 1996 as amended)
•  Train employees on the Records Management Policies and File Plan and monitor and report on compliance.
•  Implement and maintain a Knowledge Management System in SAWS, with easy access for all staff in accordance with the approved access rights.

Facilities and Security Management

•  To provide, manage and maintain safe and secure office environments for SAWS Head Office as well as Regional Offices
•  To ensure the Facilities and Security Management environment is governed by the required and relevant updated Policies and Procedures, aligned to market practice. Monitor, manage and report on compliance to the Facilities and Security Management Policies and Procedures.
•  Oversee the maintenance and protection of the SAWS buildings and facilities/grounds in
• consultation with the relevant stakeholders at the Head Office as well as regional offices.
•  Ensure that the lease agreements are reviewed annually and where applicable, the Supply Chain Management process is followed in time to renew the leases or conclude new agreements.
•  Provide general maintenance and cleaning services to all SAWS offices, within budget and in compliance with the relevant lease agreements.
•  Constantly liaise with the regional managers to ensure all relevant service providers and landlords meet their contractual obligations.

Fleet and travel

•  Oversee the management of the SAWS travel office, including fleet management.
•  To ensure the Travel Office is governed by the required and relevant updated Policies and Procedures, aligned to market practice. Monitor, manage and report on compliance to the

Travel Management Policies and Procedures.

•  Provide cost efficient travelling management services to SAWS Employees through the management of Service Providers, in line with Service Level Agreements.
•  Ensure the SAWS fleet is used to support SAWS business activities through monitoring, education and training of employees.
•  Oversee the SAWS travel activities to ensure these comply with SAWS finance, risk management and OHS requirements.
• Risk, Governance and Compliance
•  Work with the Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) department to identify risk control measures and ensure implementation of these across SAWS.
•  Ensure all the relevant statutory training is conducted as legally prescribed and that records are safely stored for audit purposes.
•  Coordinate all the mandated audits and make sure that the relevant SAWS employees cooperate with the auditors and submit all requested documents.
•  Ensure audit findings are addressed by implementing proper controls to avoid recurrence and repeat audit findings.
•  Ensure that all SAWS SHEQSF compliance certificates are up to date and safely stored.
•  Make sure that all management and statutory reports are drafted, approved, and submitted at the prescribed intervals. 

Stakeholder Management

•  Facilitate regular stakeholder engagements to determine their needs and levels of satisfaction with the services provided by the department.
•  Manage the service level agreements of the relevant service providers and address all issues raised by SAWS stakeholders.
•  Effectively lead and manage the SHEQSF team to ensure that they deliver on the department’s objectives within the allocated resources.
•  Ensure the training and development of the SHEQSF team.

Required Minimum Education/Training:

•  Relevant Honours Degree (Business Management / Records Management / Health & Safety)
•  Certificate in ISO 9001/OHS systems lead auditing.
•  Financial acumen will be an added advantage.

Required Minimum Work Experience:

•  Minimum 7 years’ experience in SHEQ/Security and Facilities management, with at least 3 years on Senior Management level.
•  5 years SHEQ systems auditing experience.
•  Experience in the project management for relocating office environments.
•  Knowledge of the PFMA and Treasury Regulations as it relates to procurement.
•  Stakeholder engagement and proven track record in ability to engage at all occupational levels.
•  Contract management.

Technical and Behavioural Competencies Required

•  Good communication skills
•  Project management skills
•  Sound knowledge of risk management
•  Knowledge of SHEQ/ISO standards
•  Knowledge of ensuring operational efficiency
•  Leadership skills
•  Multitasking ability.